Race 1: Menu wins, Muller out!

Alain Menu has won the first race at WTCC finale in Macau. The Chevrolet driver started from pole, but lost first place into the first corner to Yvan Muller, who made a jump start. Only two laps from the end, title contender Yvan Muller had to park his car while leading the race due to a mechanical failure. His start was under investigation by the race stewards at the time.

The retirement of Muller meant that Andy Priaulx is very close to scoring his third consecutive world title. Priaulx’s other rival, Augusto Farfus, crashed out of the race after contact with Gabriele Tarquini on the penultimate lap.

Priaulx is leading the championship with one point from Muller, who probably won’t make it to the second race of the day. Farfus is still in third position, but is also unlikely to make it to the start. That leaves Priaulx with just one opponent left: James Thompson, who will have to win from fourth on the grid to win the title.